Are you a visionary leader with a passion for operational excellence? Do you thrive in manufacturing environments and excel at driving efficiency, innovation, and employee engagement? If so, New England Woodcraft is seeking a Director of Operations to lead their team to new heights.
About New England Woodcraft
New England Woodcraft has been crafting high-quality, durable furniture for over 60 years. As an employee-owned company, they are committed to producing exceptional products for educational, institutional, and government markets while fostering a culture of ownership, empowerment, and continuous improvement.
As they continue to grow and invest in state-of-the-art manufacturing technologies, they are looking for a Director of Operations to shape the future of their business, ensuring operational excellence and aligning with their strategic vision.
About the Role
The Director of Operations will oversee all aspects of manufacturing, logistics, engineering, quality control, and supply chain. Reporting to the President, this role is pivotal in driving innovation, efficiency, and employee engagement across the organization. This position offers the opportunity for career growth, with the potential to succeed into the role of President.
Key Responsibilities
- Team Leadership and Development
Cultivate employee engagement, safety, and accountability at all levels.
Build strong relationships with employees and foster a culture of empowerment and ownership.
- Strategic Planning and Execution
Develop and implement strategic plans to enhance engineering, production, and new product development functions.
Lead continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma principles.
- Investment and Innovation
Collaborate with leadership to determine capital requirements for automation, robotics, and facilities upgrades.
Spearhead the integration of a new ERP system to improve production flow, KPI tracking, and cost analysis.
Drive the operation to surpass cost control and efficiency targets.
Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality products on time to meet customer expectations.
Attract, train, and retain top talent to build a best-in-class workforce.
Champion professional development programs to enhance employee skills and capabilities.
- Employee Ownership and Culture
Promote understanding and motivation among employees regarding their roles as part-owners of the company through the ESOP program.
What Success Looks Like After One Year
- Strong relationships are established with the leadership team and employees.
- A vision for a best-in-class workforce and state-of-the-art equipment is in place and embraced by the team.
- Lean and Six Sigma principles are embedded in the company culture.
- On-time deliveries and exceptional product quality are standard.
- Employees are empowered to make decisions and actively contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
- Customers recognize and appreciate the value and quality of New England Woodcraft products.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required.
- 5-10 years of senior leadership experience in durable goods manufacturing, with a proven track record of success.
- Experience in the furniture industry and government/institutional contract manufacturing highly preferred.
- Strong expertise in Lean, Six Sigma, and ERP systems.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills.
Why Join New England Woodcraft?
At New England Woodcraft, you will join a team committed to craftsmanship, innovation, and employee ownership. As a leader in our organization, you will have the opportunity to make a significant impact, drive operational excellence, and shape the future of their business.
They offer a competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a collaborative work environment where your contributions are valued and celebrated.
How to Apply
Ready to lead with vision, drive meaningful change, and inspire a dedicated team? We’d love to hear from you!
We’ve partnered with Dan Lyons at The Richards Group to guide this important search.
Join New England Woodcraft and be part of a company where tradition meets innovation and employee ownership drives success!